PORTLAND | Christian Bahena scores a goal in the 92
nd minute to get the victory on Sunday evening. With today's 4-3 overtime victory over the Northwest Eagles, the Knights move to 6-1 on the season; the best start the program has had in 16 years.
"I'm proud of our players to come back from a goal deficit three times during the match and then eventually to find the winning goal in overtime" said Knights head coach Troy Ready. "Credit to Northwest University who fought hard throughout the match." "We'll need to be more clinical in front of goal for future games, but it was a very important win for our group."
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The Rundown
In a very physical battle from start to finish, the two teams exchanged goals through 92 minutes of play.
Northwest struck early, just six minutes into the game off of a corner kick to set the tone for the afternoon.
With some adjustments made in the middle, the Knights found their groove. Christian Bahena came off the bench for the Knights and just six minutes in, found himself alone on the left side. The junior newcomer flicked the ball over the keeper for a perfect 18-yard lob to knot the game at 1-1.
Not too long after, despite the momentum falling in favor of the Knights, who began to fire shots off left and right, Northwest's Elliot Misic fired a shot from 25-yards out sending the ball flying through the hands of WP keeper Alexis Calderilla-Hurtado, and yet again the Eagles took the lead. Holding onto it, the score was 2-1 in favor of the Eagles at the intermission.
Just one minute and fifty-five seconds into the second half, the Knights equalized. Nick Evans, for the fifth game this season, found the net. The man who seems to be the go-to for set plays, Evans stepped to the ball for a free kick from the sideline around 18-yards out. The crafty experienced player bent the ball perfectly through the air and around the keeper.
With just under ten minutes to play and a 2-2 ball game, each team put the pressure on one another's defense. The Eagles, desperately searching for a gap in the Warner Pac defense, found their chace in the 82
nd minute and Kyle Han, after gathering a high ball at his feet found the back of the net. With eight minutes to go, Northwest's defense needed to hang on.
In the 85
th minute and the Knights moving with urgency, sending the ball through the air, Alex Nana was brought down in the box and Warner Pac seemed it would have a free opportunity to tie the ball game and send it into Extra Time. Who else other than Nick Evans would take the PK? Evans, cool and collected, stepped to the ball. Keeping it low and kicking with power, the senior sent it right past the boots of the keeper to force overtime.
Just three minutes into the overtime period, Chrsitian Bahena weaved his way through the Eagles defense, and off a real thrifty give-and-go with Brennan Murphy, found the back of the net, capturing the victory.
In a physical match with 19 fouls, three yellow cards and one ejection combined, the two teams battled to the end.
Deeper Look
With his two goals today, Nick Evans moves to eight goals on the season to lead the team and the Cascade Collegiate Conference
Warner Pacific has a 21-6 goal advantage over their opponents thus far
The Knights move up to No. 4 in conference
Flash Forward
Warner Pacific will close out their series with Northwest on Monday afternoon before heading south to Ashland on Saturday for two games against the Raiders.